Friday's Meetings Haydock N/H 6 Races 12:50-3:45p.m. Ascot N/H 6 Races 1:00-3:55p.m. Ffos Las N/H 6 Races 1:10-4:05p.m. Newcastle(E) A/W 7 Races 3:40-6:45p.m. Dundalk(E) A/W 8 Races 5:30-9:00p.m. Racecards At The Races Racing Post Sporting Life Good Luck
2:45 The Clock Leary - form in the book, back to Ascot for first time since last chase win at track. 2:20 Highway Storm - ground is key here and he has go huge promise. Likes the course and can improve
With just 3 winners in November, Donald McCain is in absolutely miserable form at the moment. Nevertheless, I will nominate his 10-year-old gelding Desert Cry as a sporting e/w bet in the 2:00 at Haydock. The key to Desert Cry is plenty of give - 5 of his 6 victories have come on soft or heavy ground. He goes well fresh, so no worries that he hasn't run since June, and comes here of a hurdle rating of just 123, having been rated a full 20lbs higher at his peak. OK he has never won over this trip but off this mark I think he could go very close. 14/1 the price this evening.
Looks like a Nicholls/Henderson benefit day today. Henderson: Different Gravey Thomas Campbell Claimantakinforgan Nicholls: Capitaine Politilogue Brio Conti Interesting to see Le Rocher back after injury, he's a grade 1 winner as a 3 year old (Violet Dancer/Solar Impulse behind) back here after 2 and a half years out.
How about a Nicholls Treble to open the cards at all 3 venues today? Ffos Las 12.40 Cash Again Haydock 12.50 Capitaine Ascot 1.00 Secret Investor
Morning,you types. Was going to tip one (on the level at Wolverhampton tomorrow not in the NH sphere – ‘booooooooooo hisss’) ‘big styley’, as I believe a Chav would say, but unfortunately it hasn’t been declared. Regular readers hide your disappointment stoically. But here’s a quest for the great and the good. Now that Paul Hanagan has been ‘released’ from his contract with old boy Hamdan (who apparently was ‘incensed’ by the ride the former gave his horse in the St Leger) will he reunite with his good pal, Dick Fahey?!? If he does the current 12/1 re him winning the 2017 Flat Jockeys Crown looks enormous.
FOX APPEAL 100-30 Ascot 2.45 If all the horses in the race run to their true ability this one would win it by the length of the straight. Emma not messing about today as she has secured the services of the champion jockey. Solid confidence in the market. Of course I am fearful of the favourite as Venetia really does seem to be hitting form and we know what she is capable of.
Morning all... After reading Oddy's write up on the chances of Desert Cry and needing soft to maybe heavy in the going then let me tell you that the rain has really come down here in these parts. I only live about 18miles away from the course and I can tell you it'll be closer to heavy than soft by race time today and tomorrows card will definitely have heavy in the going as it's given rain again tonight and early morning...!!
Is your love affair with Henderson finished now Barney? No avatar of the trainer anymore even This is more serious than I first thought. Can we nominate flat trainers to take up the new mantle for you???
How very dare you suggest that Sir Nicky of the Needle is not a flat trainer as well as a NH trainer!
Ascot 2.10 Criq Rock 3/1 If his jumping hesitancy has been ironed out I view this horse as a winner without a penalty. Should be much closer in the market with the jolly.
Interesting question. The last Flat season I had decent success following almost exclusively 7 trainers (Mr O’Brien, old boy Gosden, Sir Michael, Dick Fahey, that terrible old rogue Prescott and the 2 Roger’s). Any nominations from this lot would be greatly appreciated. Mr Henderson has had great success the few times he’s operated on the level as that wise old sage, Stick, points out. And a lot of these successes came in partnership with Eddie Ahern. Oh how their respective careers have gone along different paths since those days…with one now frowned upon as a terrible cheat and rascal.
Here’s a Friday afternoon quiz question. If anyone gets it right they win a 'Barney Bonus'. What race run tomorrow is the richest of its type run in the Isle for 10 years (stat courtesy of ‘The Weeknder’)?!? One was quite shocked by this.
